The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 240

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
By Sophia Reed
**Chapter 240: Parent/Teacher Conference**

**Judy’s POV**

I could hardly wrap my mind around the fact that I had actually consented to this. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I wore a frown that mirrored the uncertainty swirling in my chest. The business suit I had chosen, a tailored piece that belonged to my mother, seemed to add years to my appearance, making me feel like I was playing dress-up in someone else’s life. Matt had been right when he jokingly suggested I could easily pass for his mother. Just a fleeting moment of doubt had crossed my mind, the nagging fear that perhaps I was too young for this role. Would the teachers see through my facade? But those worries dissipated as I slipped into the familiar fabric of my mother’s attire, the scent of her perfume lingering faintly in the fibers.

I cast a glance at the clock on the wall and let out a heavy sigh; time was slipping away. My Uber would be arriving any minute to whisk me off to Matt’s school. A wave of anxiety washed over me as I realized I hadn’t even bothered to ask Matt what had landed him in trouble. What was I thinking? I should have prepared myself, should have known what to say. But I had to embody the essence of a concerned parent; I needed to channel my anger and deliver a stern lecture.

Running my fingers through my hair, I contemplated whether a low ponytail might present a more polished image than leaving my hair down. I felt a lump form in my throat, a mixture of nerves and uncertainty. No, I decided, if I couldn’t convincingly play the role of his mother, perhaps I could resort to a different strategy—one that Nan would undoubtedly recommend if she knew about my day.

The sharp honking of the car horn outside jolted me from my thoughts. I inhaled deeply, stealing one last look at my reflection. Satisfied with the way I looked, I grabbed my purse from the bed, slung it over my shoulder, and hurried out of my room.

To my surprise, my mother was in the living room when I descended the stairs. Even more astonishing was the sight of her sipping coffee, a rare occurrence lately. Her eyes lit up when she spotted me, and she gestured toward the kitchen with a nod of her head.

“I brewed some coffee if you’d like some,” she offered, her voice warm yet tinged with a hint of pride.

“You brewed it yourself?” I asked, my eyebrows arching in disbelief.

She raised her brows in response, a look that said, “Of course, I can.”

“I’m capable of brewing coffee, Judy,” she replied flatly, a hint of sass creeping into her tone.

I blinked, momentarily taken aback.

“I didn’t mean it like that, Mom. I just thought you haven’t really been up to much lately,” I explained, my voice softening. “It’s nice to see you out of bed.”

“I figured it was about time I started making some changes in my life,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee. “I can’t do that if I’m stuck in my room all day, can I?”

A smile broke across my face as I walked around the couch to embrace her. As I wrapped my arms around her, I felt her body stiffen for just a moment before she relaxed into the hug, resting her head on my shoulder.

Then she pulled back slightly, her expression turning serious.

“Are you wearing my clothes?” she inquired, a frown creasing her brow.

I swallowed hard, letting out an awkward laugh.

“I have an interview,” I fibbed, hoping to sidestep any further questions. “I needed something professional.”

“Would this job pay well?” she probed, her curiosity piqued.

I nodded, my heart racing.

“Maybe even enough to pay off Dad’s debt,” I added, watching as her face brightened at the prospect.

“I have a meeting with his lawyers today to discuss some options they may have found,” she said, her excitement palpable. “I’ll keep you posted on what I find out.”

“I’ll be home a little later, and we can talk then,” I assured her, feeling a mix of hope and dread.

The honking outside grew more insistent, and I knew I had to leave or risk the Uber driver abandoning me.

“I have to go,” I said, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you, Judy,” she replied thoughtfully, her gaze lingering on me as I dashed out the door.

I hopped into the backseat of the Uber, the ride to the school enveloped in an uncomfortable silence. As we pulled up to the school, my anxiety surged, a knot tightening in my stomach. I thanked the driver and stepped out, forcing myself to take a deep breath before entering the building.

As I walked through the school, the usually bustling halls were eerily quiet, most students likely absorbed in their classes. I made my way to the main office, which was conveniently located near the entrance. The receptionist, a young blonde woman with a distracted demeanor, was furiously typing away on her computer, barely acknowledging my presence.

Clearing my throat a couple of times, I finally caught her attention. She sighed, lifting her gaze to meet mine, her perfectly manicured brows arching in question.

“Can I help you?” she asked, her voice dripping with indifference.

This only made Lucy laugh harder, her scorn ringing in my ears.

“She sounds utterly ridiculous,” Lucy chuckled. “Look at her; Gavin would never marry someone like her. She’s a nobody.”

Principal Thorne’s gaze lingered on me, as if he were considering something.

“You sure are a looker though,” he said, his brows wiggling suggestively. My face burned with humiliation as I stared at him in disbelief. Was he actually flirting with me? “Perhaps we can overlook this little misunderstanding if you make it worth my while. I have a few minutes before my next meeting.”

He winked, and a wave of nausea surged in my stomach.

“A girl like her is only good for one thing; spreading her legs,” Lucy snickered, her eyes filled with contempt as she regarded me like I was nothing more than a pest.

“You think so?” Principal Thorne asked, stepping closer to me. I felt rooted to the spot, paralyzed by shock. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from my face; his touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I fought the urge to recoil. I would have slapped him for his audacity if he weren’t Matt’s principal. “Then perhaps she should prove it to me first. I might even let Matthew off the hook.”

“Gavin Landry is going to lose his mind when he finds out that this imposter is pretending to be his wife,” Lucy hissed, her voice dripping with malice. “Everyone knows that Gavin is a single man, and he would never be seen with someone like this.”

Just as I was about to step back, Principal Thorne seized my arm, yanking me toward his office.

“For wasting my time, you can make it up to me,” he growled, pulling me along against my will. I struggled against his grip, panic flooding my senses as Lucy reached for her phone, snapping pictures of the scene.

“Let go of me,” I demanded, feeling the heat of his grip turning my wrist red.

“Not before I get what I want,” he sneered, his intentions clear.

A wave of terror washed over me; how could this man, who was supposed to care for the students, be such a monster? How dare he treat me like this!

Suddenly, the door to the main office swung open, and we all froze as several Silver Crescent Gamma warriors strode in, accompanied by Beta Taylor. My heart sank further into my stomach at the sight of them, knowing that the next person through that door would undoubtedly be Gavin Landry himself.

I was caught, and this was going to be the most humiliating moment of my life.